Fatherly’s 25 Best U.S. Cities For Kids To Play Outside takes a close look at the state of play and play spaces in America today. The report includes a data-driven ranking taking into account everything from parks access to the rate of violent crime, plus insights from some of the leading thinkers on play science and playgrounds. Read the full report here.
Boston, MA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.1
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 98%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 355
Walkability Score: 80
Number of Fair Weather Days: 238
Pittsburgh, PA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.2
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 84%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 293
Walkability Score: 60
Number of Fair Weather Days: 213
Minneapolis, MN
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.8
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 95%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 274
Walkability Score: 65
Number of Fair Weather Days: 250
Lincoln, NE
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.7
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 86%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 329
Walkability Score: 40
Number of Fair Weather Days: 283
Cincinnati, OH
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 5.1
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 71%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 285
Walkability Score: 50
Number of Fair Weather Days: 228
Denver, CO
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.8
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 86%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 329
Walkability Score: 56
Number of Fair Weather Days: 276
New York, NY
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 97%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 390
Walkability Score: 88
Number of Fair Weather Days: 244
Oakland, CA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.8
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 85%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 229
Walkability Score: 69
Number of Fair Weather Days: 302
Washington, DC
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.8
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 97%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 331
Walkability Score: 74
Number of Fair Weather Days: 252
Seattle, WA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.3
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 93%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 324
Walkability Score: 71
Number of Fair Weather Days: 210
San Francisco, CA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.6
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 99%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 559
Walkability Score: 84
Number of Fair Weather Days: 302
Omaha, NE
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.3
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 78%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 387
Walkability Score: 41
Number of Fair Weather Days: 266
Detroit, MI
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.5
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 78%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 570
Walkability Score: 52
Number of Fair Weather Days: 230
Portland, OR
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.1
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 85%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 251
Walkability Score: 63
Number of Fair Weather Days: 212
Sacramento, CA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.9
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 78%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 416
Walkability Score: 43
Number of Fair Weather Days: 307
Baltimore, MD
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.2
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 85%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 633
Walkability Score: 66
Number of Fair Weather Days: 250
Honolulu, HI
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.3
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 84%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 239
Walkability Score: 63
Number of Fair Weather Days: 269
Corpus Cristi, TX
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.5
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 72%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 524
Walkability Score: 36
Number of Fair Weather Days: 310
Chicago, IL
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.4
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 92%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 900
Walkability Score: 75
Number of Fair Weather Days: 240
Milwaukee, WI
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 2.6
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 88%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 587
Walkability Score: 59
Number of Fair Weather Days: 240
Philadelphia, PA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.6
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 93%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 938
Walkability Score: 77
Number of Fair Weather Days: 248
Virginia Beach, VA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 4.1
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 58%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 304
Walkability Score: 31
Number of Fair Weather Days: 263
San Diego, CA
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.9
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 77%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 349
Walkability Score: 49
Number of Fair Weather Days: 324
Greensboro, NC
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 3.7
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 60%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 345
Walkability Score: 28
Number of Fair Weather Days: 321
Miami, FL
Playgrounds Per 10,000 Residents: 1.4
Percent Of Residents Within ½ Mile Of A Park: 78%
Violent Crimes / 100,000: 538.9
Walkability Score: 76
Number of Fair Weather Days: 234
